Man convicted of gun and drug trafficking out of Anderson home | News

INDIANAPOLIS — An Anderson man was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, distribution of cocaine and methamphetamine and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Indiana, on three occasions in January 2023, Richard Hatchett, 46, sold crack cocaine from his home in Anderson.

“During two of these drug deals, Hatchett also sold the buyer two 9mm semi-automatic handguns. One of the firearms Hatchett sold had previously been stolen. On the third occasion, Hatchett was carrying a Glock 9mm handgun in his waistband,” the release states.

Hatchett also sold 14.92 grams of methamphetamine from his home in late January 2023.

Two weeks later, federal agents executed a search warrant at Hatchett's home and found two firearms, high-capacity magazines, ammunition, crack cocaine, a digital scale and other drug paraphernalia at the home, according to the press release.

Hatchett has previous convictions for crimes including murder and burglary in Illinois.

“Hatchett committed the murder when he was just 15 years old and has spent the vast majority of his life in prison, on probation or on parole,” the statement said. “His felony convictions prohibit him from legally possessing a firearm under state and federal law.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, assisted by the Anderson Police Department, investigated the case. The sentence was set by United States District Court Judge James R. Sweeney.